The Transit Tech Lab, a public-private partnership that includes the region’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or MTA, says the selected companies will focus on tech for infrastructure management, data modernization and workflow processes.
The Transit Tech Lab offers companies experience via one of the busiest and most vital areas of gov tech — mass transit in the country’s largest metropolitan region.
The lab launched in 2018, and earlier this year made a fresh call for participants.
Since then, according to the Lab, more than 1,000 applications have competed for spots in the program, which has tested 81 technologies that led to 16 commercial procurements. The Lab says 22 companies have commercially scaled.
This year, 138 companies applied for the program — one of several city gov tech projects that seek participation from private enterprise.
Besides the MTA, other participating agencies include the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the NYC Department of Transportation, and Partnership Fund for New York City.
The 18 companies in this most recent cohort will develop in the next eight weeks proofs of concept for their offerings with help from those agencies. In turn, officials might do further testing via what a statement called a “longer-term pilot.”
More than half of this year’s cohort plan to use artificial intelligence, reflecting perhaps the biggest trend happening now in the business of gov tech.
This year’s participating companies are:
- Automotus: Computer vision-enabled, pole-mounted cameras that use AI to monitor vehicle activity at terminal curbs and city curbs.
- Contextere: The Industrial Insight Engine connects to an agency's existing data systems for operational guidance.
- CYVL: Mounted cameras and sensors on vehicles that drive road networks to automatically detect potholes and other problems.
- Delphisonic: Rugged onboard vibration/temperature sensors on railcars.
- Duos Technologies: AI-powered trackside imaging system.
- Dynamic Infrastructure: AI platform which analyzes inspection reports and imagery.
- Enspi Technologies: Real-time digital twins for transit power.
- Hazel: AI-powered procurement tool to help government agencies draft solicitations and perform other tasks.
- In a Blink: Light-based wireless technology for data transfers from buses and trains.
- Ironloop: Software monitoring platform for critical control systems.
- Ontra Mobility: AI transit planning platform.
- Orbit: An online marketplace for reclaimed construction materials.
- Praedico: Predictive software to spatially align rail track and infrastructure data.
- Strobe Power: Autonomously operated behind-the-meter batteries, solar, generators and EV charging.
- T2D2: Computer vision platform focused on inspection imagery from cameras or drones.
- Viatec: A modular battery system that can be retrofitted onto existing work trucks to eliminate engine idling at job sites.
- VIATechnik Voyager: Digital twin platform to centralize access, among other tasks.
- Voicd: A voice analysis technology firm whose tech can detect threats.
